13 March 2011
Influence 4
Remember leadership is influence upon people. Furthermore this leadership should be directed to what is right and just. Also influence can be increased through invitation as well as by showing people genuine care and concern. Christians in leadership should be the best people in the world to follow. Should be! We often aren’t, not even distinguishable from all the rest of the crowd.
Why is there no difference? This has nothing to do with standing up on a desk in the midst of the office and declaring that you are a Christian, or saying if they don’t turn they’ll burn. That kind of thing would absolutely drop you to the bottom of the heap in terms of effective leadership. We aren’t talking about preaching the gospel to people. We are talking about living the gospel with people. In the work place with people whose lives you are involved with it isn’t a matter of declaring as much as it is earning there respect first. Once you have that, it is easy to share the reason for your hope in life, the reason why you are different.
The bible says: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12,13) Kindness means having a generous, warm, compassionate nature and subsequently expressing that nature. It is fascinating that kindness used to be understood at one time as being ‘full of love’. The scripture states that we clothe ourselves with these qualities.
Then it says to ‘bear’ with each other. Bear is an interesting word too. It means to be able to endure something without great distress or annoyance. This meaning to endure gives a different perspective to the scripture. (I tend to read words thinking I truly understand what they mean but simply looking at a dictionary brings incredible light to the intent of the scripture.) If ‘endure’ is substituted for ‘bear’, it would say, “endure each other without being annoyed or distressed”. In the midst of your enduring if you get offended then forgive what has grieved you. The Lord reminds you that if you are having difficulty with this to remember that He has forgiven you. Extend to others what has been extended to you.
People skills of this quality will make a huge difference in any environment. It is not ignoring the irritations and grievances that come with working with people. The bible is asking you to come in a different spirit or attitude than the rest of the world does. Dare to be different! You have a choice with Christ living in you. Obviously you can do what everyone does and get the same result or you can do it God’s way and get a different result.
In leadership people are the resource we are working with. How we value them will determine our effectiveness in leading. Are we willing to let go of our rights and create an atmosphere that people would give anything to work in? This does not mean you will be perfect and flawless in all your dealings with those following you. It means that if you lose it, or make a mistake, you take responsibility for it and seek to rectify it through reconciliation. People know when you’ve blown it. Trying to act like you haven’t will only undermine their respect for you. If you lose their respect, you lose your ability to lead.
Why is there no difference? This has nothing to do with standing up on a desk in the midst of the office and declaring that you are a Christian, or saying if they don’t turn they’ll burn. That kind of thing would absolutely drop you to the bottom of the heap in terms of effective leadership. We aren’t talking about preaching the gospel to people. We are talking about living the gospel with people. In the work place with people whose lives you are involved with it isn’t a matter of declaring as much as it is earning there respect first. Once you have that, it is easy to share the reason for your hope in life, the reason why you are different.
The bible says: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:12,13) Kindness means having a generous, warm, compassionate nature and subsequently expressing that nature. It is fascinating that kindness used to be understood at one time as being ‘full of love’. The scripture states that we clothe ourselves with these qualities.
Then it says to ‘bear’ with each other. Bear is an interesting word too. It means to be able to endure something without great distress or annoyance. This meaning to endure gives a different perspective to the scripture. (I tend to read words thinking I truly understand what they mean but simply looking at a dictionary brings incredible light to the intent of the scripture.) If ‘endure’ is substituted for ‘bear’, it would say, “endure each other without being annoyed or distressed”. In the midst of your enduring if you get offended then forgive what has grieved you. The Lord reminds you that if you are having difficulty with this to remember that He has forgiven you. Extend to others what has been extended to you.
People skills of this quality will make a huge difference in any environment. It is not ignoring the irritations and grievances that come with working with people. The bible is asking you to come in a different spirit or attitude than the rest of the world does. Dare to be different! You have a choice with Christ living in you. Obviously you can do what everyone does and get the same result or you can do it God’s way and get a different result.
In leadership people are the resource we are working with. How we value them will determine our effectiveness in leading. Are we willing to let go of our rights and create an atmosphere that people would give anything to work in? This does not mean you will be perfect and flawless in all your dealings with those following you. It means that if you lose it, or make a mistake, you take responsibility for it and seek to rectify it through reconciliation. People know when you’ve blown it. Trying to act like you haven’t will only undermine their respect for you. If you lose their respect, you lose your ability to lead.